Kulja Treaty of 1851

a treaty normalizing trade relations between Russia and China along their common frontier in Middle Asia.

The Kulja Treaty was signed on July 25, 1851, in Kulja (China) by E. P. Kovalevskii on behalf of Russia and by I Shan and Pu Yen-t’ai representing China. The treaty contained 17 articles establishing the type of trade to be conducted and providing for the protection of caravans, punishment for robbery, and resolution of various points of conflict. Russian merchants acquired access to Hi (Kulja) and Tarbagatai (Chuguchak), where the Chinese authorities were to designate areas for Russian trading posts. The Russian consul was empowered to look after the affairs of Russian citizens, and a Chinese government official was to oversee the affairs of Chinese subjects. The treaty facilitated the development of regular trade between Russia and China along their frontier in Middle Asia, and, as stated in Article 1, it strengthened “the friendship between the two powers.”